WILLIAM W. BERESFORD 1941 - 2003

SWEENEY, BERESFORD, SPODEN, MAIERS, KROGMAN, ZIEL, SCHUTE, GERKEN, FRIES, KENNEDY, ROSSKNECHT

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 9/1/2003 at 19:13:42

William W. Beresford

Telegraph Herald - Tuesday, July 15, 2003

FARLEY, Iowa - William W. "Bill" Beresford, 62, of 203 Fourth Ave., NE, Farley, was welcomed by heaven's angels, after a courageous battle with cancer, on Sunday, July 13, 2003, at 5:30 a.m. in his home surrounded by his family.

A Mass celebrating Bill's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Farley, with the Rev. Dennis Cain officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Farley. Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. today at Reiff Funeral Home, Farley, where there will be the St. Joseph's Parish rosary at 4:30 p.m., the Farley Fire Department will meet at 7 p.m., and a wake service at 7:30 p.m.

He was born on Oct. 24, 1940, in Key West, son of Walter H. and Viola M. (Sweeney) Beresford. He received his elementary education in the Key West schools and was a graduate of the former St. Joseph's High School in Farley.

He married Jean Anne Spoden on Dec. 2, 1961, at St. Joseph's High School Chapel in Farley, thus beginning 41 years of love and commitment.

In 1960, Bill graduated from the Davenport Barber College, commencing a 37-year livelihood of barbering in the Epworth and Farley communities. For 24 years, Bill worked in the transportation department for Western Dubuque Community Schools.

Bill enjoyed community service and he was easily recognized as Farley's "Good Will Ambassador" by his bright smile and wonderful sense of humor. Bill served the Farley community as city clerk, council member, mayor, volunteer fireman, president of the Commercial Club and as a member of the Farley Housing Authority. Bill also served as an initial member of the Fireman's Revolving Fund Committee and was a past member of the Tri-State Antique Car Club. Bill was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the Altar and Rosary Society.

Bill loved the beauty of the outdoors and spending time with his family and friends. In his retirement years, Bill realized passion and pleasure in the game of golf. He enjoyed organizing golf dates and watching NASCAR races in his favorite easy chair.

He was a devoted husband, loving father and proud grandfather.

Surviving are his wife, Jean Anne Beresford, of Farley; four children, Shawn (Dennis) Maiers, of Dyersville, Brian Beresford (and special friend, Jay Furnald), of Hopkins, Minn., Michelle (Jeff) Krogman, of Farley, and Jennifer (Sam) Ziel, of Dyersville; eight grandchildren, Adam Krogman, Mariah Maiers, Justin Ziel, Carissa Krogman, Joshua Krogman, Chapin Maiers, Spencer Krogman and Adeline Maiers; four sisters, Melrose Schute, Donna (William) Gerken and Darlene Fries, all of Farley, and Nelda (Patrick) Kennedy, of Placid; and a brother, Terry (Donna) Beresford, of Dubuque.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jimmy and Tommy Beresford; and a sister, Nona (Gus) Rossknecht.

A William W. "Bill" Beresford Memorial Fund has been established.